Sarah Chant is ‘hopeful’ good milk prices will continue

As the dairy industry awaits opening milk prices from producers, this south west Victorian farmer is optimistic of a steady autumn ahead.

Dairy farmer Sarah Chant pictured on her Warrion farm. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Dairy farmer, Sarah Chant, is hopeful of a good milk price for the rest of the year.

And while all the major dairy processors are yet to announce prices for next season, the opening milk prices won’t be far off.

Ms Chant has been running her family dairy farm for the past nine years, taking over after her father died.

Based at Warrion, north of Colac, Ms Chant milks 270 Jersey cows across 243ha.

Ms Chant has been supplying Bulla for the past three years.

“When Bulla approached us with an offer aligning with our milk price goals, plus the opportunity to support a local factory and business, it was an easy decision. The

Bulla team, leaders and representatives have all been great to work with,” she said.

Sarah Chant with her Jersey cows and dogs Border Collies Maisey and Diesel. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Looking ahead to opening milk prices, Ms Chant said “we’ve been fortunate to have a good milk price, and we are hopeful this continues throughout the year”.

And in terms of the weather, she said the 2023-24 season has been up and down.

“We faced a dry spring followed by a wet summer, which presented its challenges. However, we are optimistic about a steady autumn ahead.”

Bulla Dairy Foods’ creme fraiche recently won the champion cream at the Grand Dairy Awards and Ms Chant said it was “a great achievement for farmer suppliers like us”.

“It’s amazing to see Bulla’s competitiveness in the market, knowing that consumers are actively choosing high-end products like Bulla’s reinforces our confidence in the stability of prices.”